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Wednesday, March 24, 2010

I'm happy to have this friend of Robin Shope on my blog. Welcome, Lesa. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I put a little something of myself into each of them – the love of a certain food such as icing-filled, chocolate chip cookies, or the intense dislike of something, or as in my latest heroine, clumsiness.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

LOL. I’m quirky so narrowing it down to one thing is quite a challenge. But if you asked my family they’d say my OCD tendencies.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Age 13. I won a writing contest and was published in our local hometown newspaper, The Suwannee Democrat.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I love romances. But I also love suspense/thrillers and mysteries. I enjoy reading Francine Rivers but I’m also a huge fan of Frank Peretti, Ted Dekker and John Grisham is a huge favorite.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

A non-fiction book, Above Your Dreams God Has a Plan, which my husband and I adapted into a screenplay, Above Your Dreams. I’m working on a young adult novel with my daughter called The Dating Game and an inspirational romance/suspense novel.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Besides my faith in God, I walk. It really helps me to clear my mind to get outside and just walk, think, and pray. Some days, I walk a lot!

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Sometimes from a baby book. Other times it’s a name I’ve heard from a movie or I’ve met someone with that name and like it. I usually know what my character looks like first and then I try to find a name that fits their look and personality. But, sometimes my character doesn’t like the name I’ve chosen and I have to rename them!

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Raising three children who are productive, loving, compassionate individuals. They have been the most challenging and rewarding events of my life.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I’d be my Schnauzer, Jack. He’s really got it made.

What is your favorite food?

I have an incurable sweet-tooth. Icing filled chocolate-chip cookies.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Putting my rear-end in the seat and doing it. I have a love/hate relationship with writing. I get so intimidated by the blank computer screen and I’ll find other things to do other than write, like weeding. I overcome it by allotting myself time to write, giving myself a deadline, and making myself stay there until I’ve produced something. It doesn’t have to be good – it just has to be written. If I can fill up the screen – I can go back and make it good!

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

Read. Read the types of books you want to write. Take some courses, either online or at a local college. Go to writer’s conferences. And most importantly never give up on your dream.

Tell us about the featured book?

Someone to Trust is a story of betrayal and forgiveness. The heroine Megan is a very real, flawed character who is accident-prone and carries deep wounds from her childhood. These wounds were brought on by her father leaving his family for another woman and then compounded when Megan is betrayed again as an adult by the man she has fallen in love with. Unhappy with her life in the city, and running from her past, she moves to the Smoky Mountains to a beautiful, peaceful community. There she literally bumps into Lee Grainger, who she assumes is married and vacationing in the area. Unknown to Megan, Lee is actually in the area to help Megan’s best-friend’s husband in his veterinarian practice. Believing Lee to be married, Megan is infuriated when he asks her out. Once the misunderstanding is worked out Megan accepts Lee’s friendship but has difficulty moving beyond her guilt and mistrust to accept the love that is blossoming between them. Finally a visit from Lee’s ex-girlfriend and a figure from Megan’s past forces Megan to face the shadows that have been haunting her and entrust her heart to Lee.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter One

She never knew what hit her! One minute, Megan McCormick was walking down a sidewalk lined with quaint shops, and the next, her bottom was firmly planted on it. She was certain there would be an indentation left in the cement when— if—she got up.

Minutes before, Megan had been juggling too many packages and minding her own business. Okay, that wasn’t entirely true. She had been munching on an icing-filled chocolate chip cookie. They were her favorite, fresh from the bakery down the street. She tried not to frequent the wonderful place too often, lest she sabotage a lot of dental work and diligent exercising, but today, she was having a treat. Hey, a girl deserved to have her favorite cookie every once and awhile.

She’d also been somewhat engrossed in the couple strolling hand-in-hand just ahead of her. Admittedly, she was an avid people watcher and they intrigued her. As caught up in one another as they were, they were oblivious to observance.

Love was in the air, as spring announced the impending, jubilant arrival of summer, with melting snow cascading down the mountainside, creating trickles in some places and streams in others. Wildflowers were springing up where the warm sun kissed the ground, while birds, returning from their winter flight south, heralded their arrival home with triumphant chirping.

The young couple must have been affected by the springtime bounty of love, for they stopped every several feet to touch, to whisper or to simply smile into one another’s eyes.

For a few moments, Megan gazed at them wistfully. Though the tender scene was one stories were made of, it aroused unwanted memories for Megan, causing her heart to ache. She had been in love—once. She had been a complete fool. A blind fool. One who should have known better.

Stop it! She silently admonished herself, trying to regain control of her tortured thoughts.

Thank you, Lesa, for giving us a peek into your life.Readers, here's a link to the book. By using this link when you order, you'll be helping support this blog.

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Well ladies...I have read the book. I laughed, cried, then laughed again, was angry for the heroine, then sighed, then laughed some more....well you get the point. I am an avid reader and the fact that Ms. Henderson was able to span the entire spectrum of my emotions in one book, multiple times I might add, tells me we haven't seen the last of her...not by a long shot! Can't wait to see what she has for us next! Great Job!!!

The interview was good and enticing, but the comments of those who have read the book really make me want to read it.

Thanks for the opportunity to possibly receive a copy.

Lesa, anyone who loves desserts has to be okay in my book. My next dessert recipe that I want to try is bread pudding using Krispy Creme donuts for the bread. If that doesn’t sound like the ultimate dessert, I don’t know what does.Blessings on your writing,A J HawkeAjhawke.blogspot.com

Ooops! Sending an a apology out to Lena - who I was attempting to thank for the interview. I'd just finished reading Linda's comment and her name which also begins with L was stuck in my head....See, I'm as flawed as my characters. Anyway, thanks Lena and forgive my mistake. :)